Australia pacer Mitchell Starc on Monday made headlines during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 fixture against Sri Lanka at Lucknow’s Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
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Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first under overcast conditions.
The opening pair of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera provided a solid start for the 1996 champions as they scored half-centuries and put on a 125-run partnership.
However, Pathum Nissanka’s dismissal off captain Pat Cummins’ bowling sparked a collapse. The side were dismissed for just 209 in 43.3 overs.
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Australia spinner Adam Zampa was the standout performer with the ball. He returned with splendid figures of 4-47 in eight overs.
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As much as the action was being discussed, Australia’s Mitchell Starc was involved in two incidents which became talking points in the game.
The left-arm pacer was being praised for showing sportsman spirit on two separate occasions. He did not Mankad (run-out by the bowler at the non-striker’s end just before bowling the delivery) Kusal Parera when the batter was clearly out of his crease but issued him a stern warning.
The same thing happened in the fifth over as well.
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It is pertinent to mention that Mankad has been at the centre of controversy in recent times. There are divided opinions on whether it is in sportsmanship.
